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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
of God. Satan lays his plans to press his temptations upon the very
men whom God has signified that He would accept to act a part in
connection with His work. It is Satan’s study to know how he can best
war against and defeat the purposes of God. He is acquainted with the
weak as well as the strong points in the characters of men. And in a
subtle manner he works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness
to thwart the purposes of God by assailing the weak points in their
characters; and when this is done, the way is prepared for him to
attack and overcome the stronger points. He gains control of the mind
and blinds the understanding. He leads men who are bewildered and
overcome by his devices to self-confidence and self-sufficiency at the
very time when they are the weakest in moral power. They become
self-deceived and think they are in good spiritual condition.
The enemy will seize everything possible to use in his favor and
to destroy souls. Testimonies have been borne in favor of individuals
occupying important positions. They commence well to lift the burdens
and act their part in connection with the work of God. But Satan
pursues them with his temptations, and they are finally overcome. As
others look upon their wrong course, Satan suggests to their minds
that there must be a mistake in the testimonies given for these persons,
else these men would not have proved themselves unworthy to bear a
part in the work of God.
This is just as Satan designed it should be. He would throw doubt in
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regard to the light that God has given. These men might have withstood
the temptations of Satan had they been watchful and guarded, feeling
their own insufficiency, and trusting in the name and strength of Jesus
to stand faithful to duty. But it should be borne in mind that conditions
have ever been connected with the encouragement given these men,
that if they would maintain an unselfish spirit, if they would feel their
weakness and would rely upon God, not trusting in their own wisdom
and judgment, but making Him their strength, they could be a great
blessing in His cause and work. But Satan has come in with his
temptations and has triumphed almost every time. He has so arranged
circumstances as to assail the weak points in the characters of these
men, and they have been overcome. How shamefully they have injured
the cause of God! How fully they have separated themselves from Him
by following their own corrupt hearts, their own souls may answer! But
the day of God will reveal the true cause for all our disappointments